Report: Man City finally set to complete deal to sign £60m forward | OneFootball

Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City edges closer as £60m clause triggered

Manchester City’s pursuit of Antoine Semenyo has moved a significant step forward, with talkSPORT reporting that City and Bournemouth have reached an “agreement in principle” after “positive talks” on the structure of payments. The key point is that City have triggered the winger’s release clause of £60million plus add-ons, a mechanism that tends to compress timelines once activated.

talkSPORT also report that Semenyo has “verbally agreed personal terms” and favoured a move to the Etihad Stadium over other Premier League options. Chelsea were keen, then stepped away, while Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were also linked. City’s ability to clear both the fee framework and the player’s preference early suggests this has been building behind the scenes.

Negotiation timeline and release clause window

One detail that matters is the clause timing. talkSPORT previously reported it must be activated in the first ten days of the transfer window, and City’s move fits that schedule. From here, it becomes about final documentation, medical logistics and the precise staging of payments, rather than whether a deal is viable.

There was also a hint of farewell in Semenyo’s latest outing. The report notes he was “waving goodbye” to travelling fans after Bournemouth’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea, and “appearing to say farewell to his teammates”. These moments can be misread, yet they often arrive when a player knows the next step is close.

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Semenyo form points to City-ready impact

City will believe this is the right time to act, because Semenyo is delivering numbers and momentum. talkSPORT highlight his 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions last season, then a strong start to this campaign, including two goals at Anfield in a 4-2 defeat to Liverpool. His recent run has also caught the eye, with three goals in his last three matches against Manchester United, Burnley and Brentford.

He sits on nine league goals, third in the Premier League Golden Boot race behind Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago, according to the report. For Guardiola, a winger who can carry, press, and finish moves is invaluable, especially across a season where rotation and tactical variation decide fine margins.

Iraola message and Bournemouth’s short term plan

Bournemouth are motivated to keep focus on fixtures until the final signatures are in place. Andoni Iraola struck a defiant tone when asked whether Chelsea was Semenyo’s last appearance, saying: “I don’t know what is going to happen but he will definitely play [vs Arsenal]. This is not his last game.

“He needs to recover because we play Arsenal at home in another three days, against top of the league, he will be an important player for us, yes.”

talkSPORT add that Semenyo “could be wrapped up by then”, which leaves an interesting possibility of him featuring against Arsenal on Saturday, even as the transfer accelerates. There is also a neat subplot later in the season, with Bournemouth hosting Guardiola’s side on the penultimate weekend, a date that could carry title significance.

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As a Man City supporter, this report feels like a proper statement of intent. talkSPORT are right to frame Semenyo as “a statement signing”, because this looks like the kind of decisive business that keeps standards high in a title race. Triggering a release clause, agreeing a payment structure, and getting the player aligned on personal terms, that is the cleanest way to avoid a long January saga.

What excites me is the fit. Semenyo’s nine league goals point to a winger who wants to hurt teams with dribbles, and with end product. Imagine him attacking the space when Haaland pins centre backs, or arriving at the back post when play swings across. City have missed that direct punch at times this season, and a fresh wide forward with confidence can lift the whole front line.

If Bournemouth do get one more game out of him, fair enough, Iraola’s words were clear. Once he is in sky blue, the energy shifts straight to trophies. This signing would feel like adding fuel to an already serious machine, and that is exactly what a City fan wants to see.